How much will playoff experience factor in?
The Los Angeles Lakers have been one of the best teams in the league this season, if not the best. Fortunately for Denver, the Lakers and Clippers were constructed similarly.
Both teams featured two elite, well-balanced superstars as headliners with role players scattered throughout the rosters to compliment the dominant duos. Both teams were littered with seasoned veterans that held ‘win now’ expectations.
There are six players on the Lakers roster who have played in the NBA Finals in Dwight Howard, Danny Green, Rajon Rondo, J.R. Smith, JaVale McGee and LeBron James; all have played meaningful minutes in a Finals series.
In stark contrast to the Lakers’ roster, the Nuggets don’t have any players with Finals experience. However, winning four series that have stretched into seven games is nothing short of meaningful playoff experience.